Karilyn Bentley's Blog, page 26
September 24, 2014
#PlottingPrincesses welcome author Bonnie Dodge Writing her Mom's stories #MFRWorg
Please help me welcome my friend and fellow writer, Bonnie Dodge to the Princess Palace today. Bonnie lives and writes from her home in southern Idaho. Her award-winning fiction, poetry, and non-fiction have appeared in several newspapers, magazines and anthologies in the Pacific Northwest. For more information about Bonnie visit her web page at http://bonniedodge.com/ and follow her on Twitter @BJDodge. So take it away, Bonnie.
Today my mother would be eighty-four. If she were still here. For twenty-one years I’ve survived without her, and today I could be sad, but instead I’m feeling grateful.
The day before my mother died, we spent the morning traipsing up and down southern Idaho ditch banks looking for wild asparagus. Mother called this “free” food because we didn’t have to pay $2.99 a pound for it in the local grocery store. As we combed the ditch banks I told her I wanted to be a writer. I told her about the stories I was creating.
My mother grew up in Napoleon, North Dakota, smack in the center of what is still called German-Russian Country. A small town, the 2010 census claims there were 792 people residing in Napoleon with 203 families living in the “city.” Napoleon is one of those small farming towns where everybody knows your business. My mother couldn’t wait to escape. That’s what we talked about as we picked asparagus. Her hating her hometown and having to wait until she graduated from high school before she could leave, before she could get away.
“I’m going to write your stories,” I said as I snapped a green spear from the earth and put it into my plastic sack.
“No, you’re not,” she challenged. “I’m going to write them.”This brought a smile. Always competitive, my mother wasn’t interested in writing. Not like I was. The only thing I knew my mother to write was letters to her relatives still living in Napoleon. “Go for it,” I smirked, eager to see what she would put on paper. She died that night and if I have any regrets, it’s that I didn’t get to see her write her stories.
My mother’s stories stayed with me and I’ve committed many of them to paper. Several have won awards. Many have been published. But the best story my mother never told me was the story that became Waiting. A story about three women who wait for love. For attention. For Life. For death.
My mother died too young. She still had many things she wanted to do. Whatever you are waiting to do, please go out and do it. Climb that mountain, swim that lake. Put on a big hat and act silly. Sing that song and hug those close to you. Tell them you love them and thank them for sharing your dreams, your walks up and down ditch banks hunting wild asparagus. Thank them for enriching your world. Without them there wouldn’t be as many intriguing stories.
So, tell me what you remember about your mother or what you're waiting for. One lucky commentor will win a download of WAITING.
Thank you for having me.
(PS – Happy Birthday, Mom. Thanks for sharing your stories.)
Back cover blurb: “Three generations of Foster women–senior citizen Maxine, attention seeker Grace, and aspiring artist Abbie–think they are nothing alike. But they all share a secret. They wait. For love, for attention, for life, for death, for Idaho’s warm, but promising summer to return. In their journeys between despair and happiness, they learn there are worse things than being alone, like waiting for the wrong person’s love. With sensitivity and humor, Waiting carries readers into the hearts of three women who learn that happiness comes from within.”
Waiting now available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/1620155001 and
at Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waiti...
Today my mother would be eighty-four. If she were still here. For twenty-one years I’ve survived without her, and today I could be sad, but instead I’m feeling grateful.
The day before my mother died, we spent the morning traipsing up and down southern Idaho ditch banks looking for wild asparagus. Mother called this “free” food because we didn’t have to pay $2.99 a pound for it in the local grocery store. As we combed the ditch banks I told her I wanted to be a writer. I told her about the stories I was creating.
My mother grew up in Napoleon, North Dakota, smack in the center of what is still called German-Russian Country. A small town, the 2010 census claims there were 792 people residing in Napoleon with 203 families living in the “city.” Napoleon is one of those small farming towns where everybody knows your business. My mother couldn’t wait to escape. That’s what we talked about as we picked asparagus. Her hating her hometown and having to wait until she graduated from high school before she could leave, before she could get away.
“I’m going to write your stories,” I said as I snapped a green spear from the earth and put it into my plastic sack.
“No, you’re not,” she challenged. “I’m going to write them.”This brought a smile. Always competitive, my mother wasn’t interested in writing. Not like I was. The only thing I knew my mother to write was letters to her relatives still living in Napoleon. “Go for it,” I smirked, eager to see what she would put on paper. She died that night and if I have any regrets, it’s that I didn’t get to see her write her stories.
My mother’s stories stayed with me and I’ve committed many of them to paper. Several have won awards. Many have been published. But the best story my mother never told me was the story that became Waiting. A story about three women who wait for love. For attention. For Life. For death.
My mother died too young. She still had many things she wanted to do. Whatever you are waiting to do, please go out and do it. Climb that mountain, swim that lake. Put on a big hat and act silly. Sing that song and hug those close to you. Tell them you love them and thank them for sharing your dreams, your walks up and down ditch banks hunting wild asparagus. Thank them for enriching your world. Without them there wouldn’t be as many intriguing stories.
So, tell me what you remember about your mother or what you're waiting for. One lucky commentor will win a download of WAITING.
Thank you for having me.
(PS – Happy Birthday, Mom. Thanks for sharing your stories.)
Back cover blurb: “Three generations of Foster women–senior citizen Maxine, attention seeker Grace, and aspiring artist Abbie–think they are nothing alike. But they all share a secret. They wait. For love, for attention, for life, for death, for Idaho’s warm, but promising summer to return. In their journeys between despair and happiness, they learn there are worse things than being alone, like waiting for the wrong person’s love. With sensitivity and humor, Waiting carries readers into the hearts of three women who learn that happiness comes from within.”Waiting now available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/1620155001 and
at Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waiti...
September 22, 2014
.#PlottingPrincesses interview: Katherine Grey & is her favorite movie despicable? #MFRWorg
The Plotting Princesses put Katherine Grey under the microscope. So what is her despicable movie? Read on!
Let's get to know her: When Katherine started talking to her friends about the characters in her head as though they were real people, she decided it was time to start putting all those people populating her mind along with their exploits down on paper. Friends have gotten used to Katherine's imaginary friends but still often ask, "Wait, is this a real person?" whenever she mentions someone they don't know.
Okay, Katherine, let's get down to the nitty gritty:
Favorite movie: Despicable Me
Favorite book: The Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis
Last book read: Snapped by Laura Griffin
Favorite color: Yellow
Stilettos or flip-flops: Neither. Prefer flats
Coffee or tea: Tea
E-book or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: Too many to pick just one
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Brownies
Champagne or gin: Neither
Paranormal or Historical: Both
Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann
Favorite TV show: Sleepy Hollow
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: 3rd Person
I'd die if I don't have: Time to read
Blurb: Known only as Lazarus to the band of cutthroats and thieves he leads, William Prescott will do anything to find his missing sister, even blackmail a fragile young woman into helping him. But he never plans to fall in love with this mysterious woman with a troubled past.
Haunted by the memories of war, Olivia St. Germaine wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But when her brother, a doctor, suddenly leaves town without a word, she is forced to use her medical knowledge to help an injured man who puts her life in danger. Can she keep herself safe as she tends Lazarus, or is her heart more vulnerable than she realizes?
Buy Link: Amazon
Find Katherine at: BlogsiteEmail: Email
September 17, 2014
.@VickiBatman - The BIG Goof #LongLiveLongmire #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses
The BIG Goof - #LongLiveLongmire
A few weeks ago, word filtered through that the superb Western, Longmire, had been cancelled at the end of three seasons.
I was shocked! So were a lot of other folks.
I began watching this superb show because it wasn’t about Housewives, or chef cook-off, or a badly behaving bridezilla. Nope, Longmire was about a sheriff, his staff, family, and friends who lived in a small Wyoming town. The series is based on the books written by Craig Johnson.
The show averaged 5.6 million viewers. Isn’t that a lot of people? More viewers than “Mad Men” and “Justified” according to a Wall Street Journal article. Wall Street Journal
Yes, but it seems the viewer-ship is primarily older viewers—the average age of 60 versus 48. According to the Wall Street Journal article, “Longmire’s fate is reflective of two growing trends in the television industry-the obsession of advertisers with younger viewers and the desire of TV networks to own as much of their content as possible.” An executive at the network said, “...we genuinely loved the show, but the audiences in the key demographics just weren’t there.”
Someone told me the advertisers target young people who spend more. Really?Because I remodeled a house and bought furniture recently. Purchased a new car. Acquired two dogs and their accouterments. I buy groceries. I eat at restaurants. I go to a movie every week. I buy books, magazines and newspapers. Probably do more than the youngsters in my family.
*Am frustrated*. Guess I’ll check in on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Survivor.”
Feel free to tweet: #LongLiveLongmireJoin the Longmore FB posse at: https://www.facebook.com/LongmirePosse
Are advertisers only interested in youngsters and not the large population of baby boomers?
Soon Vicki Batman will be celebrating the release of her romantic cozy mystery, Temporarily Employed. Join her at a wild and crazy launch party at: Launch Party! on Oct 17 Preorder Temporarily Employed at: The Wild Rose Press
A few weeks ago, word filtered through that the superb Western, Longmire, had been cancelled at the end of three seasons.
I was shocked! So were a lot of other folks.
I began watching this superb show because it wasn’t about Housewives, or chef cook-off, or a badly behaving bridezilla. Nope, Longmire was about a sheriff, his staff, family, and friends who lived in a small Wyoming town. The series is based on the books written by Craig Johnson.
The show averaged 5.6 million viewers. Isn’t that a lot of people? More viewers than “Mad Men” and “Justified” according to a Wall Street Journal article. Wall Street Journal
Yes, but it seems the viewer-ship is primarily older viewers—the average age of 60 versus 48. According to the Wall Street Journal article, “Longmire’s fate is reflective of two growing trends in the television industry-the obsession of advertisers with younger viewers and the desire of TV networks to own as much of their content as possible.” An executive at the network said, “...we genuinely loved the show, but the audiences in the key demographics just weren’t there.”
Someone told me the advertisers target young people who spend more. Really?Because I remodeled a house and bought furniture recently. Purchased a new car. Acquired two dogs and their accouterments. I buy groceries. I eat at restaurants. I go to a movie every week. I buy books, magazines and newspapers. Probably do more than the youngsters in my family.
*Am frustrated*. Guess I’ll check in on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Survivor.”
Feel free to tweet: #LongLiveLongmireJoin the Longmore FB posse at: https://www.facebook.com/LongmirePosse
Are advertisers only interested in youngsters and not the large population of baby boomers?
Soon Vicki Batman will be celebrating the release of her romantic cozy mystery, Temporarily Employed. Join her at a wild and crazy launch party at: Launch Party! on Oct 17 Preorder Temporarily Employed at: The Wild Rose Press
September 15, 2014
Michelle Miles: Hello, the 80s called. They want their movies back.
At my house, Saturday night is “movie night.” We’ve been doing it consistently for a month or so now. The kid LOVES it. And even when he’s not there, the Man and I have movie night. But with popcorn – Kid has braces and can’t eat it so we try not to have it in front of him cuz that just mean.Anyway, he recently turned 13. Aside from him joining the land of social media and instant communication, it also means he gets to catch up on all those 80s movies that we loved at his age.
Aside from Ghostbusters (1984) which he’s already seen, we introduced him to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). He loved it. I’ve never heard the kid laugh as hard as he did at that one. This past weekend, we watched Crocodile Dundee (1986). After we watched it, I got to thinking about thin the plot was. And they kept saying he was a poacher but…we never really saw him poaching anything. Well, except for the one crock that he stabbed in the head to save the girl stood by the water, scantily clad, and dipped in her canteen. It was pretty easy to see she was going to fall for the Aussie after he “boyfriend” was such a jerk to him (and her) at dinner. There really didn’t seem to be a lot of character development, either. I guess I’m jaded. ;)
When the kid was away, Man and I watched Witness (1985) starring Harrison Ford. He’s the homicide cop who investigates a murder of a fellow cop and the only witness he has is an Amish boy. I actually really liked this movie. I thought it was well done and Ford was nominated for Best Actor (though he lost to William Hurt for his role in Kiss of the Spider Woman). I’d found the movie for $4.99 at Barnes & Noble. I was SUPER excited about that.I also found Amadeus (1984) for about the same price. This was a regular DVD and it was so old, we had to play it in our regular DVD player – it wouldn’t play in the Blu-Ray player at all. We could see the picture, but there was no sound. And here’s the other funny thing about the disc—the movie was on both sides. Remember those DVD’s for movies that were over two hours? They were so long, they had to put them on both sides? I’d forgotten they did that until we got to a certain point in the movie and it just stopped. Incidentally, F. Murray Abraham won Best Actor for his portrayal of Salieri. It’s truly a fantastic movie if you have a chance to watch it, though I don’t know how historically accurate it is.
Other movies we watched in our queue: Adventures in Babysitting (1987), The Breakfast Club (1985), Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), Back to the Future (1985) and Gremlins (1984).
And I can’t forget some of my all-time favs: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Empire Strikes Back (1981), Return of the Jedi (1983), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Hm, funny that all those movies have something in common. Can you guess what it is? ;)
So what are your favorite 80s movies? Inquiring minds want to know!
Michelle Miles is an avid movie watcher, writes romance, drinks coffee and collects shoes. You can learn more about her books at http://www.michellemiles.net.
September 10, 2014
.@PlottingPrinc1 - Anna Jeffery teases us with The Cattleman #MFRWorg #westernromance
Today, the Princesses welcome long-time friend, Anna Jeffery, to the site with some good...hot...stuff from her new book, The Cattleman. Howdy, Anna!
THE CATTLEMAN, a contemporary romance, is Book #2, of the “Sons of Texas” series. It’s a sequel to THE TYCOON that I released about a year and a half ago.
In THE TYCOON, the oldest Lockhart son, William Drake Lockhart, III, is the star character. He’s smart, good-looking and is the master of all he surveys. In the CATTLEMAN, I tell the story of Drake’s younger brother and middle son, Pickett Charles Lockhart.
Ever since a disastrous marriage and divorce at a young age, Pickett Lockhart has kept his emotions under control. He’s preoccupied anyway with learning to be the general manager of the vast Double-Barrel Ranch outside of Drinkwell, Texas. Still, his older brother’s marriage and looming fatherhood have aroused an envy within him to have a wife, kids and home of his own. But he can’t get married, even to a woman he loves who also loves him. His divorce cost him and his family a bundle, leaving him with an overwhelming fear of stepping into another financial trap.
Amanda Breckenridge, swim team coach and English teacher in Drinkwell High School, has been in love with Pic for as long as she can remember. They were high school sweethearts. After he eloped with someone he met in college, Amanda left Drinkwell brokenhearted. Years later, her father’s illness brought her back to town and a revived relationship with Pic. But Pic’s mother has never thought Amanda was good enough for him. She intends to destroy their relationship by sending a friend’s beautiful daughter to the ranch to tempt Pic. Can Amanda and Pic’s bond survive his mother’s schemes? Or the unexpected career opportunity that falls into Amanda’s lap?
Excerpt from Chapter 4, when Pic first meets the woman his mother has sent to try to derail his relationship with Amanda.“Finally, she dug out a piece of paper and raised it with a gesture of triumph. “Found it.” She beamed a huge smile showing perfect bright white teeth. “I’m looking for the Double-Bar L Cattle Company. It’s a ranch. I thought this was the right road.”“Yes, ma’am, it is. I’m with the ranch. What I can do for you?”She came around the front end of the VW revealing a white form-fitting top that looked even whiter against her olive skin. Held up by straps that weren’t much more than strings, it stretched across an ample chest, showing deep cleavage and distinct nipple impressions. No bra. His adrenaline spiked as his gaze moved on down to tan shorts and flat sandals with about a dozen straps. Her toenails were painted bright red with some kind of white design.Still smiling, she stuck out her right hand. Lord, her smile made the sun look dull. “How-do-you-do? I’m Zochimilka Amiyala McLaren.”Hunh? Pic’s chin tucked back involuntarily. Assuming she had told him her name, he cautiously accepted her handshake. “Uh, Pic Lockhart.”“Oooh, you’re Pic.” She pumped his hand up and down. “I’m so glad to meet you. I feel as if I know you. My parents and I are friends with your mother.”Clang! An alarm went off in Pic’s head. He didn’t trust anything involving a woman if it had ties to his mother. He released the visitor’s hand as if it were hotter than the pavement. “My mother sent you here?”“She told me you’d be glad to assist me. I’m a photographer. I came up here from Austin. I’m taking some pictures of old Texas ranches.””
Find Cattleman at: Amazon
Find Anna Jeffery at: Website
Are you reading western romances?
THE CATTLEMAN, a contemporary romance, is Book #2, of the “Sons of Texas” series. It’s a sequel to THE TYCOON that I released about a year and a half ago.
In THE TYCOON, the oldest Lockhart son, William Drake Lockhart, III, is the star character. He’s smart, good-looking and is the master of all he surveys. In the CATTLEMAN, I tell the story of Drake’s younger brother and middle son, Pickett Charles Lockhart.
Ever since a disastrous marriage and divorce at a young age, Pickett Lockhart has kept his emotions under control. He’s preoccupied anyway with learning to be the general manager of the vast Double-Barrel Ranch outside of Drinkwell, Texas. Still, his older brother’s marriage and looming fatherhood have aroused an envy within him to have a wife, kids and home of his own. But he can’t get married, even to a woman he loves who also loves him. His divorce cost him and his family a bundle, leaving him with an overwhelming fear of stepping into another financial trap.
Amanda Breckenridge, swim team coach and English teacher in Drinkwell High School, has been in love with Pic for as long as she can remember. They were high school sweethearts. After he eloped with someone he met in college, Amanda left Drinkwell brokenhearted. Years later, her father’s illness brought her back to town and a revived relationship with Pic. But Pic’s mother has never thought Amanda was good enough for him. She intends to destroy their relationship by sending a friend’s beautiful daughter to the ranch to tempt Pic. Can Amanda and Pic’s bond survive his mother’s schemes? Or the unexpected career opportunity that falls into Amanda’s lap?
Excerpt from Chapter 4, when Pic first meets the woman his mother has sent to try to derail his relationship with Amanda.“Finally, she dug out a piece of paper and raised it with a gesture of triumph. “Found it.” She beamed a huge smile showing perfect bright white teeth. “I’m looking for the Double-Bar L Cattle Company. It’s a ranch. I thought this was the right road.”“Yes, ma’am, it is. I’m with the ranch. What I can do for you?”She came around the front end of the VW revealing a white form-fitting top that looked even whiter against her olive skin. Held up by straps that weren’t much more than strings, it stretched across an ample chest, showing deep cleavage and distinct nipple impressions. No bra. His adrenaline spiked as his gaze moved on down to tan shorts and flat sandals with about a dozen straps. Her toenails were painted bright red with some kind of white design.Still smiling, she stuck out her right hand. Lord, her smile made the sun look dull. “How-do-you-do? I’m Zochimilka Amiyala McLaren.”Hunh? Pic’s chin tucked back involuntarily. Assuming she had told him her name, he cautiously accepted her handshake. “Uh, Pic Lockhart.”“Oooh, you’re Pic.” She pumped his hand up and down. “I’m so glad to meet you. I feel as if I know you. My parents and I are friends with your mother.”Clang! An alarm went off in Pic’s head. He didn’t trust anything involving a woman if it had ties to his mother. He released the visitor’s hand as if it were hotter than the pavement. “My mother sent you here?”“She told me you’d be glad to assist me. I’m a photographer. I came up here from Austin. I’m taking some pictures of old Texas ranches.””
Find Cattleman at: Amazon
Find Anna Jeffery at: Website
Are you reading western romances?
September 8, 2014
SUPERSTITIONS: ARE YOU A BELIEVER? by Kathy Ivan
I grew up in South Florida and spent many a happy vacation going to the beach and/or visiting with family and friends along the Florida Keys and Key West. Imagine my surprise when I found out that after a day combing the shore for spectacular seashells that I wasn't allowed to bring them inside the house.
Why? Because it's bad luck to have real shells in your house. Bet you didn't know that (unless you were brought up by a very superstitious grandmother and mother.)
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Most of you know the superstitions or omens which are fairly common. Don't walk under a ladder. A black cat crossing in front of you is bad luck. Finding a 4-leaf clover is good luck. Always hang a horseshoe pointing up, so the good luck doesn't run out.
But those are only the beginning. Here are a few you may or may not have heard of:
· It's bad luck to put your shoes on top of the bed. · Never let someone sweep under your feet, or you'll never get married. · Putting your purse on the floor is considered bad luck. · A bird in the house means a death in the family.· If the palm of your right hand itches, it means you'll unexpectedly receive money. But, if the palm of your left hand itches, it means you're going to spend money you weren't planning to spend.· If the bottom of your foot itches, you're going to take a trip. · Don't open an umbrella in the house, its bad luck. · Never kill a spider inside the house, again bad luck.
Seems like a lot of superstitions point toward bad luck, although some predict good fortune. So, how do you feel about superstitions? Do you believe in omens or have a ritual that you do, hoping for good things. Share it with us in the comments.
And just because football has started, and my team won on Saturday, here's a little something to give you a hint my favorite team.
Kathy Ivan is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and paranormal romance, currently working on her next romantic suspense when she's not checking to make sure she hasn't left her purse on the floor or put her shoes on the bed. You can check out all her releases on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kathyivanauthor.
September 2, 2014
Watching Loved One's Age
This month my father will celebrate his 83rdbirthday. It’s hard to believe that’s he’s that age and I still remember him as a young man working hard to earn a living for his family. My mother is 78 and she still gets around really well, but my father is starting to struggle.Aging is just part of life’s journey and I know that eventually we all die, but until the last five years I never realized how difficult the journey could be. Unfortunately, I fear that I haven’t seen the worst yet and know that eventually there will be a time when my family members will be gone. In the last five years, we’ve lost my husband’s mother, my grandmother, my aunt and an uncle. And I know that this is just the beginning. All my family is aging and for that matter, so am I. Before my mother-in-law died at the age of 88, she told me she was ready to go because all of her friends had passed on. She said you reach a time when you no longer have funerals to attend and you’re the only one left. That statement has stayed with me and I know that there could come a day when that will be the case with me. At first this really bothered me, but the logical part of me says that this is just part of life. This journey we call everyday living will someday come to an end. The optimistic side of me says that’s why we’re to love each other and enjoy our time together. Live each day to the fullest.
Right now my father is in a nursing home and I have to say that while it may seem depressing at first, I have had many a laugh there. The residents are upbeat and happy and well, bless their hearts some of them have returned to their youth and are like children without a care in the world.
In the fiction world, we seldom see older women romances, which is a darn shame since the population is aging. I have one book that is about an older heroine – The Christmas Bride and I have another one that I've never published that has an older heroine that I hope to have out next year. Aging is part of life. And there is no stopping the clock. At this point in my life I don’t want to be seen as old, but rather a mature woman who still acts young at heart. But there will come a day when I’m an old woman who wrote romances for a living and had a darn good time doing it. Young people will whisper and say…”Do you think she did that stuff she wrote about?”I plan on smiling and not saying a word. Let them wonder. How do you handle watching your family member’s age? Seeing them struggle walking up steps and having to use a cane? Visit my website at www.sylviamcdaniel.com or my facebook page or follow me on twitter at @SylviaJMcDaniel. Drama, Divas, Bad Boys and Romance!
August 27, 2014
A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER is out!
My Latest story A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER released on Tuesday, and I wanted to celebrate by sharing an exclusive excerpt with the Plotting Princesses, and by giving away a copy to one of our loyal readers!
The rules of courtship are swept out to sea when a shipwreck offers a Reckless Bride a true taste of paradise…
CAN A WHIRLWIND ROMANCEFor too long, Miss Jane Burke’s father has taken advantage of her painstaking research. Heading to the South Seas to make her own name as a scientist despite the crew’s insistence that a woman aboard is bad luck, she isn’t prepared to be championed by a handsome ship’s officer who rouses longings inside her as wild as any storm…
LEAD TO A PROPER PROPOSAL? For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty’s survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship’s drunken captain—and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it’s Jane’s love Dance wants forever…
Here's the Excerpt:
The world was a strange and interesting place, full of strange and interesting and very different people. People who seemed to sleep in chairs. Jane had been jolted awake in the predawn hours by the sharp sound of a chair clattering over onto the deck just outside her door. She had clambered out of her hanging cot in time to spy the chair—with the lieutenant’s coat over the back—on the floor, and see the lieutenant bounding out of the wardroom. And when she stuck her head outside her cabin, she could hear him engaging in a loud conversation—or was it an argument?—with several men on the other side of the wardroom door. The mere overheard mention of her name sent her retreating to dress herself in her practical buff colored wool gown so that she might meet any challenge to her presence aboard head-on—and at least properly clothed despite the early hour. What could not be avoided ought not be put off, even until breakfast. She had always found it best to tackle unpleasant chores straightaway, before they could become even-less-pleasant problems. But when she came out into the wardroom, what could not be avoided was the strange and interesting sight of the lieutenant in his bare shirtsleeves, divesting himself of the rest of his clothes. He had come back from whatever unpleasant chores had interrupted his—and her—sleep, and was now about to shave himself in preparation for the coming day. “Oh, my.” Heat blossomed under her skin and raced across her chest. Jane hardly knew where to look—a glance around at the closed doors of the other cabins told her it was full early for anyone else of their party to have awoken. Jane would have retreated into her cabin to allow the man his privacy, had not the lieutenant’s voice stopped her. “Morning, Miss Burke. I trust you slept well.” There was something knowing in the lieutenant’s tone——he had been right outside her door—some slow insolence, that worked its way under her skin like a splinter, needling her into responding, no matter his scandalous state of undress. And hadn’t she just reminded herself that what could not be avoided ought not be put off? The lieutenant clearly did not want to be avoided, and if he thought he could intimidate her into leaving the expedition by the sight of his shirtsleeves, she should take this earliest opportunity to disabuse him of that notion. If only she could breathe properly in his presence. He wasn’t even touching her and the air felt hot and tight in her chest. She put her hand to the high bodice of her dress to ease the pull of the neckline against her throat. “Good morning, Lieutenant. Have you no cabin yet, sir, within which to wash and dress yourself?” “No,” he answered simply, “I do not.” To illustrate his point, he pulled his black silk stock away from his neck with an audible snap, before favoring her with that challenging, cynical half-smile that twitched up one side of his mouth. “Do I shock you, Miss Burke?” She wanted to meet the challenge in those dark green eyes, and give him as good as she got. But she could barely breathe. “You are trying to.” Her honesty—and apparent humor—made the smile widen across his lips. “Am I succeeding?” “A little.” Which was a complete lie. Of course he was succeeding. And he knew it. He advanced on her then, sauntering slowly across the few feet that separated them while he shucked off his waistcoat and tossed it over the back of his chair with his coat. Jane’s shoulders smacked into the door frame at her back, halting any further retreat. “Then I must try harder.” And with that, he used his superior height to lean his hands onto the ceiling beams above Jane’s head. “Lieutenant Dance.” Jane hated that she sounded all breathless discomposure even to her own ears. “You needn’t do so on my account.” The neck of his shirt lay open, and a swath of golden skin was right in front of her eyes. And he smelled of soap and lime and wind. “But I do, Miss Burke.” He was so close, she dared not look up to see him speak, but his voice insinuated itself into her bones, echoing uncomfortably through her body. “Because I believe you have something that belongs to me.” “Do I?” Her voice was no more than a whisper, and she could hear her breath fragment into little gulping pants. Oh, God. Not now. Not in front of this pitiless, cynical man and his insolent, challenging eyes. “Yes.” He leaned down lower, close to her ear, as if he had a confidence he wished to impart. “My shaving mirror.” And then he reached over her head, and plucked it off the wall. And with a smile that told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her, and was pleased, he ambled back to the wardroom table, and began to soap his face. Drat him.A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER …and a passion no woman can forget.
OUT NOW!
Leave a comment to be included in our drawing for a copy of A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER.
The rules of courtship are swept out to sea when a shipwreck offers a Reckless Bride a true taste of paradise…
CAN A WHIRLWIND ROMANCEFor too long, Miss Jane Burke’s father has taken advantage of her painstaking research. Heading to the South Seas to make her own name as a scientist despite the crew’s insistence that a woman aboard is bad luck, she isn’t prepared to be championed by a handsome ship’s officer who rouses longings inside her as wild as any storm…
LEAD TO A PROPER PROPOSAL? For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty’s survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship’s drunken captain—and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it’s Jane’s love Dance wants forever…
Here's the Excerpt:
The world was a strange and interesting place, full of strange and interesting and very different people. People who seemed to sleep in chairs. Jane had been jolted awake in the predawn hours by the sharp sound of a chair clattering over onto the deck just outside her door. She had clambered out of her hanging cot in time to spy the chair—with the lieutenant’s coat over the back—on the floor, and see the lieutenant bounding out of the wardroom. And when she stuck her head outside her cabin, she could hear him engaging in a loud conversation—or was it an argument?—with several men on the other side of the wardroom door. The mere overheard mention of her name sent her retreating to dress herself in her practical buff colored wool gown so that she might meet any challenge to her presence aboard head-on—and at least properly clothed despite the early hour. What could not be avoided ought not be put off, even until breakfast. She had always found it best to tackle unpleasant chores straightaway, before they could become even-less-pleasant problems. But when she came out into the wardroom, what could not be avoided was the strange and interesting sight of the lieutenant in his bare shirtsleeves, divesting himself of the rest of his clothes. He had come back from whatever unpleasant chores had interrupted his—and her—sleep, and was now about to shave himself in preparation for the coming day. “Oh, my.” Heat blossomed under her skin and raced across her chest. Jane hardly knew where to look—a glance around at the closed doors of the other cabins told her it was full early for anyone else of their party to have awoken. Jane would have retreated into her cabin to allow the man his privacy, had not the lieutenant’s voice stopped her. “Morning, Miss Burke. I trust you slept well.” There was something knowing in the lieutenant’s tone——he had been right outside her door—some slow insolence, that worked its way under her skin like a splinter, needling her into responding, no matter his scandalous state of undress. And hadn’t she just reminded herself that what could not be avoided ought not be put off? The lieutenant clearly did not want to be avoided, and if he thought he could intimidate her into leaving the expedition by the sight of his shirtsleeves, she should take this earliest opportunity to disabuse him of that notion. If only she could breathe properly in his presence. He wasn’t even touching her and the air felt hot and tight in her chest. She put her hand to the high bodice of her dress to ease the pull of the neckline against her throat. “Good morning, Lieutenant. Have you no cabin yet, sir, within which to wash and dress yourself?” “No,” he answered simply, “I do not.” To illustrate his point, he pulled his black silk stock away from his neck with an audible snap, before favoring her with that challenging, cynical half-smile that twitched up one side of his mouth. “Do I shock you, Miss Burke?” She wanted to meet the challenge in those dark green eyes, and give him as good as she got. But she could barely breathe. “You are trying to.” Her honesty—and apparent humor—made the smile widen across his lips. “Am I succeeding?” “A little.” Which was a complete lie. Of course he was succeeding. And he knew it. He advanced on her then, sauntering slowly across the few feet that separated them while he shucked off his waistcoat and tossed it over the back of his chair with his coat. Jane’s shoulders smacked into the door frame at her back, halting any further retreat. “Then I must try harder.” And with that, he used his superior height to lean his hands onto the ceiling beams above Jane’s head. “Lieutenant Dance.” Jane hated that she sounded all breathless discomposure even to her own ears. “You needn’t do so on my account.” The neck of his shirt lay open, and a swath of golden skin was right in front of her eyes. And he smelled of soap and lime and wind. “But I do, Miss Burke.” He was so close, she dared not look up to see him speak, but his voice insinuated itself into her bones, echoing uncomfortably through her body. “Because I believe you have something that belongs to me.” “Do I?” Her voice was no more than a whisper, and she could hear her breath fragment into little gulping pants. Oh, God. Not now. Not in front of this pitiless, cynical man and his insolent, challenging eyes. “Yes.” He leaned down lower, close to her ear, as if he had a confidence he wished to impart. “My shaving mirror.” And then he reached over her head, and plucked it off the wall. And with a smile that told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her, and was pleased, he ambled back to the wardroom table, and began to soap his face. Drat him.A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER …and a passion no woman can forget.
OUT NOW!
Leave a comment to be included in our drawing for a copy of A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER.
August 26, 2014
LIKE JOE MANGANIELLO? YOU COULD WIN A BLAZE!
SPOILER ALERT! Do NOT read the next couple of paragraphs if haven’t caught up with this season of TRUE BLOOD!
Ok, are they gone now? Whew! I almost titled this blog Alcide might be dead, but Long Live Joe. Then I realized some people might not have watched this season yet. Now I’m going to cry. And rant. CRY! Alcide, oh Alcide! Say it ain’t so! I’ve always been on TEAM Bill, because I always go with first love=True love in a Romance, but, still… That doesn’t mean you had to DIE!
WHY?? Why did you have to die? As Sookie said, you were so big and strong. And SO sweet! You deserved a happy ending!
Okay, okay, you’re right. He’s not a real person. And at least we still have the beautiful Joe Manganiello to soothe our mourning souls.
I hear Joe’s making a Magic Mike 2, ladies! And he is the real reason for this blog post. He’s my inspiration-in every sense of the word- for my latest Blaze hero, Joe Tedesco. MY Joe is a New York firefighter and the winner of a Sexiest Average Joe contest run by fashion blogger Carly in my September Wrong Bed Blaze CABIN FEVER. And in honor of my new release and in honor of the very sexy Joe Manganiello, I’m giving away a copy of CABIN FEVER to the first 3 commenters who can correctly answer all these fun questions.
1. In which sitcom did Joe play a guy named Brad Morris? (Hint: It just had its series finale this year)
2. What funny “Baby” movie was Joe in just before Magic Mike?
3. What is the name of the documentary Joe directed about male strippers?
4. In which TV series did Joe have a part with the equally sexy Josh Duhamel? (also an inspiration for a hero in one of my Blazes)
5. Other than True Blood, in what TV series did Joe have a large role? (Hint: he played a pro Slamball player) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29QGA...
6. Joe is also an author. Last December, he released a fitness book. What was the title? (just the first word will do for the answer)
7. To support himself before he got his first part in Spiderman, Joe worked as a bodyguard and a bouncer. What occupation would you like to see him play if you could write a movie for him?
And now for an excerpt from CABIN FEVER.
“YOU’RE LYING, TEDESCO.”
Joe narrowed his eyes at his accuser, brought the can of root beer to his lips and took a long sip. “You’ll have to play to find out, Wakowski.”
Wakowski snarled and studied his dwindling pile of chips on the table in the fire station’s kitchen.
Joe tapped his fingers on his thigh. With his luck they’d get a call before he could lay down his cards.
“Come on, Wakowski,” Everman urged. “In this century.” Everman had already folded, as had Miller and Stockton. Joe maintained his poker face.
Wakowski narrowed his eyes. “You’re bluffing.” He shoved all his remaining chips into the center of the table.
Joe grinned and revealed his Queen-high heart flush. “Read `em and weep.”
The guys whooped and hollered and thudded Joe on the back. Wakowski cursed and pitched his cards down. “You’re a real scootch, you know dat?”
Joe grinned and began gathering up his winnings. His cell buzzed and he grabbed it off the table. At two on a Saturday afternoon it was probably his mother calling to make sure he was coming to the family dinner tomorrow. He checked the caller ID, but he didn’t recognize the number. He hesitated answering. If one of his sisters had set him up with one of their friends again…
Knowing he’d regret it, he punched the answer button. “Tedesco.”
“Mr. Joe Tedesco, of Brooklyn, New York?”
Great. Were telemarketers allowed to call cell phones now? “Uh…yeah?”
“This is Carly’s Couture calling about your entry in The Sexiest Average Joe contest and I’m thrilled to tell you that you are our winner!”
Joe blinked. Contest? Sexiest what? Wait a minute…he grinned at his fellow firemen sitting around the station house table. “Good one, guys.” He spoke into the phone. “So, I won, huh? What’d I win? A hot and heavy night with you, sweetheart?”
“Excuse me?”
Joe winced. The sleet falling outside was no match for the ice in this woman’s voice. If this was a prank, she was really good. “Uh, hold on a sec.” He held the phone to his chest. “Okay, you guys, you might as well fess up. I’m not falling for it.”
All four of his buddies gave him a confused look. Not good. He put the phone back to his ear. “Who’d you say you were again?”
“Carly Pendleton, with Carly’s Couture. I have a fashion blog for the average man and woman, and Modiste magazine cosponsored the national contest searching for the Sexiest Average Joe.”
Fashion blog? Wait. Modiste? Wasn’t that the fancy magazine his sisters were always reading, with all the makeover contests and quizzes on how to please a guy in bed? Alarm bells clanged and they weren’t coming from the firehouse. Joe stood and paced from the kitchen into the common area.
“Mr. Tedesco? Are you there?”
He barely heard her voice. Her previous words kept echoing in his mind. Contest. Modiste magazine. What had his sisters done now?
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m here.” Maybe he should think positive. Maybe he’d won a big screen TV or a year’s supply of beer.
“—and the cruise leaves on Monday. I’ll have your boarding pass and a car will pick you up at your residence at 7:00 a.m.. The flight to Miami departs at 10:00. The ship sails at 4:00. Now, your entry form said you already have a passport?”
“Wait a minute. I won a cruise?” That could be fun.
“Five days and four nights to the Caribbean. Of course, that’s where we’ll be doing the photo shoot.”
“Photo shoot?”
The woman mumbled a request to save her from idiots. “You did read all the details of the contest before entering, didn’t you, Mr. Tedesco?”
He clenched his teeth. “It’s Joe. Mr. Tedesco is my father.”
“Okay. In case you need reminding, Joe. The photo shoot is the reason for the cruise. My blog will feature the Sexiest Average Joe wearing Carly’s Couture clothing choices and posing with a beautiful supermodel in exotic locales. You could end up with a lucrative modeling career, Mr. Tedesco. Maybe even become famous.”
Famous? If he’d wanted money and fame he would’ve signed the contract offer his sophomore year. He sure as hell wasn’t posing for some magazine like one of those pretty boys strutting around in their underwear. No, thanks. “Look, lady, I can’t just take off work at a moment’s notice.”
“Mr. Te—Joe. I promise the shoot won’t take all your time. There’ll be excursions and nightlife and we even provide you fifty dollars’ worth of chips at the ship’s casino.”
“You could offer me a thousand dollars in chips and I still wouldn’t be posing for some women’s magazine, especially not for some sexiest man photos.”
“Oh, ho! Sexiest Man?” called Everman.
Joe swiveled to find his fellow firemen gathered around him.
“Whoa, Mr. Sexy, huh?” Miller mocked.
Wakowski locked his hands behind his head and wiggled his hips. “Oooh, Sexy Joey.”
Joe shut them down with a scowl and an obscene hand gesture.
A split second of silence on the other end of the line suggested that the lady had heard the background commotion. “Look, Mr. Tedesco. When you signed the entry form you agreed to all the terms and conditions of the contest.”
Joe balled his free hand into a fist. “I didn’t sign anything. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Then, whoever did sign your name on the entry forms could be prosecuted for forgery.”
“Now hold on a minute.” His sisters were going to pay for this. The entry had to be their doing. He couldn’t see any of the guys here at the station risking his wrath. Or ever reading Modiste magazine for that matter. But he couldn’t let Donna-Marie and Rosalie be brought up on charges. He sighed. The chief had been nagging him to take some of his vacation…
“I’ll talk to my boss about the time off. If I’m able, I’ll be ready at 7:00 Monday.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Mr.—Joe. I promise you’re going to have a wonderful week in the Caribbean.”
Joe clicked off, ignored his buddies’ questions and stalked toward the chief’s office. A wonderful week? He seriously doubted that.
Ok, are they gone now? Whew! I almost titled this blog Alcide might be dead, but Long Live Joe. Then I realized some people might not have watched this season yet. Now I’m going to cry. And rant. CRY! Alcide, oh Alcide! Say it ain’t so! I’ve always been on TEAM Bill, because I always go with first love=True love in a Romance, but, still… That doesn’t mean you had to DIE!WHY?? Why did you have to die? As Sookie said, you were so big and strong. And SO sweet! You deserved a happy ending!
Okay, okay, you’re right. He’s not a real person. And at least we still have the beautiful Joe Manganiello to soothe our mourning souls.
I hear Joe’s making a Magic Mike 2, ladies! And he is the real reason for this blog post. He’s my inspiration-in every sense of the word- for my latest Blaze hero, Joe Tedesco. MY Joe is a New York firefighter and the winner of a Sexiest Average Joe contest run by fashion blogger Carly in my September Wrong Bed Blaze CABIN FEVER. And in honor of my new release and in honor of the very sexy Joe Manganiello, I’m giving away a copy of CABIN FEVER to the first 3 commenters who can correctly answer all these fun questions.1. In which sitcom did Joe play a guy named Brad Morris? (Hint: It just had its series finale this year)
2. What funny “Baby” movie was Joe in just before Magic Mike?
3. What is the name of the documentary Joe directed about male strippers?
4. In which TV series did Joe have a part with the equally sexy Josh Duhamel? (also an inspiration for a hero in one of my Blazes)
5. Other than True Blood, in what TV series did Joe have a large role? (Hint: he played a pro Slamball player) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29QGA...
6. Joe is also an author. Last December, he released a fitness book. What was the title? (just the first word will do for the answer)
7. To support himself before he got his first part in Spiderman, Joe worked as a bodyguard and a bouncer. What occupation would you like to see him play if you could write a movie for him?
And now for an excerpt from CABIN FEVER.
“YOU’RE LYING, TEDESCO.”
Joe narrowed his eyes at his accuser, brought the can of root beer to his lips and took a long sip. “You’ll have to play to find out, Wakowski.”
Wakowski snarled and studied his dwindling pile of chips on the table in the fire station’s kitchen.
Joe tapped his fingers on his thigh. With his luck they’d get a call before he could lay down his cards.
“Come on, Wakowski,” Everman urged. “In this century.” Everman had already folded, as had Miller and Stockton. Joe maintained his poker face.
Wakowski narrowed his eyes. “You’re bluffing.” He shoved all his remaining chips into the center of the table.
Joe grinned and revealed his Queen-high heart flush. “Read `em and weep.”
The guys whooped and hollered and thudded Joe on the back. Wakowski cursed and pitched his cards down. “You’re a real scootch, you know dat?”
Joe grinned and began gathering up his winnings. His cell buzzed and he grabbed it off the table. At two on a Saturday afternoon it was probably his mother calling to make sure he was coming to the family dinner tomorrow. He checked the caller ID, but he didn’t recognize the number. He hesitated answering. If one of his sisters had set him up with one of their friends again…
Knowing he’d regret it, he punched the answer button. “Tedesco.”
“Mr. Joe Tedesco, of Brooklyn, New York?”
Great. Were telemarketers allowed to call cell phones now? “Uh…yeah?”
“This is Carly’s Couture calling about your entry in The Sexiest Average Joe contest and I’m thrilled to tell you that you are our winner!”
Joe blinked. Contest? Sexiest what? Wait a minute…he grinned at his fellow firemen sitting around the station house table. “Good one, guys.” He spoke into the phone. “So, I won, huh? What’d I win? A hot and heavy night with you, sweetheart?”
“Excuse me?”
Joe winced. The sleet falling outside was no match for the ice in this woman’s voice. If this was a prank, she was really good. “Uh, hold on a sec.” He held the phone to his chest. “Okay, you guys, you might as well fess up. I’m not falling for it.”
All four of his buddies gave him a confused look. Not good. He put the phone back to his ear. “Who’d you say you were again?”
“Carly Pendleton, with Carly’s Couture. I have a fashion blog for the average man and woman, and Modiste magazine cosponsored the national contest searching for the Sexiest Average Joe.”
Fashion blog? Wait. Modiste? Wasn’t that the fancy magazine his sisters were always reading, with all the makeover contests and quizzes on how to please a guy in bed? Alarm bells clanged and they weren’t coming from the firehouse. Joe stood and paced from the kitchen into the common area.
“Mr. Tedesco? Are you there?”
He barely heard her voice. Her previous words kept echoing in his mind. Contest. Modiste magazine. What had his sisters done now?
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m here.” Maybe he should think positive. Maybe he’d won a big screen TV or a year’s supply of beer.
“—and the cruise leaves on Monday. I’ll have your boarding pass and a car will pick you up at your residence at 7:00 a.m.. The flight to Miami departs at 10:00. The ship sails at 4:00. Now, your entry form said you already have a passport?”
“Wait a minute. I won a cruise?” That could be fun.
“Five days and four nights to the Caribbean. Of course, that’s where we’ll be doing the photo shoot.”
“Photo shoot?”
The woman mumbled a request to save her from idiots. “You did read all the details of the contest before entering, didn’t you, Mr. Tedesco?”
He clenched his teeth. “It’s Joe. Mr. Tedesco is my father.”
“Okay. In case you need reminding, Joe. The photo shoot is the reason for the cruise. My blog will feature the Sexiest Average Joe wearing Carly’s Couture clothing choices and posing with a beautiful supermodel in exotic locales. You could end up with a lucrative modeling career, Mr. Tedesco. Maybe even become famous.”
Famous? If he’d wanted money and fame he would’ve signed the contract offer his sophomore year. He sure as hell wasn’t posing for some magazine like one of those pretty boys strutting around in their underwear. No, thanks. “Look, lady, I can’t just take off work at a moment’s notice.”
“Mr. Te—Joe. I promise the shoot won’t take all your time. There’ll be excursions and nightlife and we even provide you fifty dollars’ worth of chips at the ship’s casino.”
“You could offer me a thousand dollars in chips and I still wouldn’t be posing for some women’s magazine, especially not for some sexiest man photos.”
“Oh, ho! Sexiest Man?” called Everman.
Joe swiveled to find his fellow firemen gathered around him.
“Whoa, Mr. Sexy, huh?” Miller mocked.
Wakowski locked his hands behind his head and wiggled his hips. “Oooh, Sexy Joey.”
Joe shut them down with a scowl and an obscene hand gesture.
A split second of silence on the other end of the line suggested that the lady had heard the background commotion. “Look, Mr. Tedesco. When you signed the entry form you agreed to all the terms and conditions of the contest.”
Joe balled his free hand into a fist. “I didn’t sign anything. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Then, whoever did sign your name on the entry forms could be prosecuted for forgery.”
“Now hold on a minute.” His sisters were going to pay for this. The entry had to be their doing. He couldn’t see any of the guys here at the station risking his wrath. Or ever reading Modiste magazine for that matter. But he couldn’t let Donna-Marie and Rosalie be brought up on charges. He sighed. The chief had been nagging him to take some of his vacation…
“I’ll talk to my boss about the time off. If I’m able, I’ll be ready at 7:00 Monday.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Mr.—Joe. I promise you’re going to have a wonderful week in the Caribbean.”
Joe clicked off, ignored his buddies’ questions and stalked toward the chief’s office. A wonderful week? He seriously doubted that.
August 20, 2014
#PlottingPrincesses have all the answers: What would a guy give a girl? #MFRWog #RLFblog
I have been working on a second book and was trying to come up with ideas of what a guy would give the new girl he had been dating. So I posed this question to The Princesses:
What would a guy give a girl? And here are some delightful answers:
Karilyn Bentley: My hubby isn't romantic but he's a great guy. He usually gets me a plant for Valentine’s Day b/c he knows I don't like cut flowers. He manages my website and offers a lot of opinions on what I write and how a scene can be improved. I appreciate his insights! He's bought me a lot of techie stuff but has avoided the jewelry since the first year we were hitched.
Michelle Miles: My hubby bought me a pair of Christian Louboutin's as a wedding present. Sometimes, he'll send flowers for no reason. Other times, it's when I make a sale. He almost always sends me fall flowers because he knows that's my favorite time of year. I love the little things. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture to make me swoon. :)
Alisha Paige Wilson: So after the birth of my baby, I was really, really dreading going back to work for this clown but it paid the bills. My husband woke me up one day and told me he had a surprise. He took my hand and led me into the living room where he had bought me a brand new desk and a shiny new computer and said, "Sit down. Now write your books. You never have to go back to work again." He is my hero.
Vicki Batman: One Christmas, Handsome did surprise me with a trip to Paris on Valentine's Day. And a Walther. But for a special anniversary, big diamonds, a bracelet, and a Mediterranean cruise. My keeper.
Liz Lipperman: For our 25th wedding anniversary, hubby gave me a set on anodized cookware with a card that said, “So you’ll remember me in 25 years.” Anyway, he then handed me a little box with diamond earrings with a card that said, “So you’ll want to.” Most romantic thing he’s ever done.
Phyllis Middleton: For Valentines Day, my husband hired a barber shop quartet to sing to me and give me a a bear and rose, all the while in the lobby of a movie theater. When they started singing, a bunch of women were coming out of a movie. None of them left until after they sang two songs to me. The women considered me lucky to have a husband who'd do that.
Chris Keniston: Decades ago my grandmother and her maid were visiting us from South America for a few months to help with my baby. My neighbor across the street was 80 and moving in with her 60 year old daughter- neither able to run an estate sale so I did it. I was over there every day for over a week sorting, discarding, labeling, rearranging. One day, the maid came to get me and said my grandmother had to talk to me right away; so I ran back across the street.My grandmother sat me down and said honey you can't keep doing this. You have to be home for your family. You can't come in late looking like something the cat dragged in. I said thank you Grammy and went back to work. A few hours later maid comes back - granny needs you. Now what. I walk in and there's this HUGE arrangement of Red Roses. My grandmother is pointing to the vase- I open the note and read it - from my husband. To my virtuous woman (a reference to proverbs) who will give her all to her family and friends. I love you. My grandmother looked at me and said - Maybe that's what I did wrong all those years ! Elizabeth Essex: I’d say the most romantic thing Mr. Essex has ever done is cook dinner every day, and pay the mortgage on time every time. It’s the little things. :)
Linda Steinberg: I lost the stone out of my engagement ring on an airplane eleven years after we were married. My husband offered to replace it, but I told him I didn't feel worthy and if we made it to 25, he could replace it then. On our twenty-fifth anniversary in Hawaii, he presented me with a new diamond--exactly twice the size of the old one. And he'd been carrying it around in his pocket the whole trip.
Kelly Lee: Hands down, the most romantic thing my hubby did for me was the way he proposed. He drove out to my parent's place and asked for my hand in marriage (I learned later, of course). After he got my parent's blessing, he planned an elaborate event and contacted my close friends that lived on both the East and West coasts, and had them fly in for a surprise engagement party. He got down on one knee, recited a poem he'd written himself, and asked me to marry him in front of all our family and friends. I was overwhelmed and overjoyed - not only that he wanted to marry me - but that my answer meant so much to him that he virtually guaranteed a "yes". After all, how could I possibly say no in front of all those people?!?
What is the most romantic thing your man has given you?
Karilyn Bentley's Blog
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(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
